Concord grape juice supplementation improves memory function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

• Published in: British journal of nutrition 2010-03, Vol.103 (5), p.730-734
• Main Authors: Krikorian, Robert, Nash, Tiffany A., Shidler, Marcelle D., Shukitt-Hale, Barbara, Joseph, James A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; behavior disorders; Biological and medical sciences; Blood pressure; body weight; Cardiovascular Diseases - drug therapy; cognition; Cognition Disorders - drug therapy; Cognition Disorders - prevention & control; Cognitive ability; Cognitive impairment; Dementia; Dementia disorders; depression; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Elderly; elderly nutrition; experimental diets; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Flavonoids - pharmacology; Flavonoids - therapeutic use; Fruit; Fruit juices; Fruits; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grape juice; Human and Clinical Nutrition; human diseases; Humans; insulin; Insulin - blood; learning; Learning - drug effects; Male; Memory; Memory - drug effects; Memory Disorders - drug therapy; Nutrition research; nutritional status; Older people; Phenols - pharmacology; Phenols - therapeutic use; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations - pharmacology; Plant Preparations - therapeutic use; Polyphenols; randomized clinical trials; Risk reduction; spatial recall; verbal learning; verbal recall; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vitaceae; Vitis - chemistry; waist circumference
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114509992364

Concord grape juice contains polyphenol compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and influence neuronal signalling. Concord grape juice supplementation has been shown to reduce inflammation, blood pressure and vascular pathology in individuals with CVD, and consumption of such flavonoid-containing foods is associated with a reduced risk for dementia. In addition, preliminary animal data have indicated improvement in memory and motor function with grape juice supplementation, suggesting potential for cognitive benefit in ageing humans. In this initial investigation of neurocognitive effects, we enrolled twelve older adults with memory decline but not dementia in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with Concord grape juice supplementation for 12 weeks. We observed significant improvement in a measure of verbal learning and non-significant enhancement of verbal and spatial recall. There was no appreciable effect of the intervention on depressive symptoms and no effect on weight or waist circumference. A small increase in fasting insulin was observed for those consuming grape juice. These preliminary findings suggest that supplementation with Concord grape juice may enhance cognitive function for older adults with early memory decline and establish a basis for more comprehensive investigations to evaluate potential benefit and assess mechanisms of action.